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Possible to Get Flat, Taut Abdomen from Mini Tummy Tuck with Laser Lipo?

I am 5'8", 140 lbs, 34-year-old mom of 2, who at 14 weighed 230 lbs. I lost 90 lbs by age 15 and have kept it off for 20 years. I am very active, running 15 miles a week. Despite this, I suffer with loose skin on the abdomen and pockets of fat on my inner thigh. I am interested in a mini abdominoplasty plus Vaser or Smart Lipo to my abdomen and inner thigh area. Can you tell me if I am suitable, what result I might expect, and how much I should be paying? Thank You!

Asked 28 months ago by NiceFace in North Wales

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age 25-34 abdomen thighs female 130-149 lbs 5 ft 8 in to 6 ft 0 in fat loose

Laser lipo and mini tuck-- mini results and the "mini tuck look"

Tightening just the lower portion of the abdomen will likely give you the "mini tuck look", or a flat lower abdomen with a bulging upper abdomen. As you can see below, there is probably no advantage to laser liposuction other than being the first on your block to have the discolored skin and irregularities we so often see. You are probably best served with liposuction alone with a superwet technique (evolution of the tumescent technique), or with a modified full tummy tuck (to... more

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Brent Moelleken, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Tummy Tuck concerns

SEE VIDEO BELOW BY CLICKING" MORE": Overall you have an excellent contour given your history. However, in consideration of your history and massive weight loss, it is most likely that ANY liposcution procedure will leave you with loose skin. Not to be overly critical but in my patient experience, you will likely experience persistently loose skin in the posterior hip & flank region (muffin top) with a mini tummy tuck. In all likelhood you will need an extedended... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Full vs Mini Tummy tuck vs Laser Lipo

"34 year old, 5'8", 140 lbs, mom of 2, who at 14 weighed 230 lbs" - your picture looks a lot better than your description. As pictures go, it would have been helpful to have a picture of you bent (L shape) at the waist, with the stomach muscles relaxed, as if diving into a pool. Any stomach laxity would be manifested as a "HAMMOCK SIGN". It has been said repeatedly but it is important to repeat it - liposuction will remove and sculpt fat, regardless of all the... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Tummy tuck vs mini tummy tuck

Actually, with 2 children and a 90 pound weight loss, what you need is a full tummy tuck to get the flattest tightest abdomen you can have. A mini tummy tuck will only treat the abdomen below the umbilicus and the liposuction (smart, vaser or other) will NOT lead to skin shrinkage and that will make you unhappy in the end.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Mini tummy tucks produce mini results, consider abdominoplasty

Good work on the weight loss, and you have some excellent diet and exercise habits. A "mini" sounds appealing, but remember that it is less effective than a tummy tuck. It removes far less skin. If you want a taut abdomen, you are best to consider a tummy tuck. Many times women worry about the longer incision with a regular tummy tuck, which is why the surgeon needs to be careful to keep the incision down low, within the bikini line. If proper... more

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Eric Swanson MD

Leawood Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Mini or full tummy tuck?

Thank you for the question then picture. You should be commended on the figure you have maintained after 2 pregnancies. However, if you choose to have any surgery, the full tummy tuck procedure is the only procedure that will be likely to give you the results you are looking for. Be careful- unless the correct diagnosis and treatment plan is designed you may be dissatisfied with the end results of your surgery. In my opinion, the mini tummy... more

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Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Consider liposuction alone or in combination with a tummy tuck.

Although a full tummy tuck with some liposuction of the adjacent hips and flanks may give you the best result, you need to weigh the risks and benefits of alternatives. Liposuction using modern techniques will improve your torso shape but will not affect any underlying muscle laxity. SmartLipo has demonstrated superior skin tightening compared to other techniques but the degree of tightening still falls short of what we would like to see. From your pictures I would suggest that a more... more

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Mathew C. Mosher, MD

Vancouver Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Tummy tuck

Looking at the photo, I don't know if you need any tummy tuck. I haven't found any difference with laser lipo. The cost is more, and there is a small chance of a burn. I am not convinced of the benefits of laser lipo.

Shahin Javaheri, MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Mini Tummy Tuck and Laser Liposuction

From your picture it doesn't look like you really need a mini tummy tuck. Standard liposuction on your abdomen and medial thighs would do quite well. There is no advantage to "laser lipo" and the potential complications are significant. Go with the gold standard-tumescent liposuction.

Christopher L. Hess, MD

Fairfax Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Weight loss and mini-tummy tuck

With the amount of weight loss you had, I doubt that laser lipo and a mini-tummy tuck will be helpful. I treat many patients with massive weight loss, and they usually need at least a full tummy-tuck. In the view of your abdomen you appear to have loose skin hanging over your underwear line along the lateral aspect. I suggest you get evaluated for a full tummy tuck.

Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

I doubt it

As long as you have lost weight and had children, a full tummy tuck is the best option - it is also probably no more expensive than an mini and a laser lipo. Go for the tried and true option. If you see me, I will show you photos of what you can expect.

William B. Rosenblatt, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Mini tummy tuck and vaser liposuction

Although your photo with your arms extended can distort the abdomen and the midrif, I would say that a" good" result might be expected. But remember, with a mini skin excision is minimal and many of your stretch marks will not be removed, nor can your skin be tensioned to minimize the high stria that you have. in my experience over 30 yrs. I think a more satisfying result would be with a full tummy tuck with suction of any type.

Barry H. Dolich, MD

Bronx Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Few patients are candidates for mini tummy tuck

Given your history you should be very happy with your current body contour. Nothing beats diet and exercise! Having said that, however, you are probably not a candidate for mini tummy tuck and liposuction. Few patients qualify for mini tummy tuck. If you have a small amount of redunant skin in the lower abdomen without separation of the rectus muscles and taught skin above the belly button then you might be a candidate. With your history of weight loss and pregnancy you would be... more

Elan B. Singer, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Realistic expectations from mini

The bottom line answer is no BUT that does not mean you should not do that. Most patients that are borderline for a mini tummy tuck eventually agree that they should have had a full tummy tuck. The only thing that they have saved is a longer scar and a scar around the belly button. That being said, you may still be happy with a mini and liposuctioning. You would get a significantly better result with the full tummy tuck. It is always a matter of weighing the positives and negatives.... more